Virginia Thomas

Reporter Virginia Thomas has worked at the Journal since 2017 and covers the health care industry. As a reporter, she loves learning about Spokane's many growing industries. She enjoys traveling with her husband, snuggling with her cats, and cross stitching.

Douglass Properties construction $6 million storage complex

Project on West Plains to include 14 buildings

June 6, 2019

Douglass Properties, the company owned by well-known Spokane real estate mogul Harlan Douglass, plans to construct a $6.2 million storage facility in west Spokane that will include an office building and 14 storage buildings.

Duplex, townhome activity could rise amid infill push in Spokane

Condos could see boost following 10-year drought

June 6, 2019

Virginia Thomas

Spokane County is experiencing a slight increase in construction of duplexes and townhouses, a trend that some local experts say is likely to continue as the city of Spokane looks to boost infill development and smaller investors seek to develop

Liberty Lake company develops motors for NASA

Frencken America's parts used in new spacecraft that launched on May 4

June 6, 2019

Virginia Thomas

Liberty Lake-based contract equipment manufacturer Frencken America Inc., a division of Malaysia-based Frencken Group Ltd., is celebrating the success of several motors it designed, manufactured, and tested for NASA's Orbiting

Spokane-based Wendy's franchisee acquire restaurants in Nebraska

Wenspok Cos. owns nine Inland Northwest outlets

June 6, 2019

Virginia Thomas

A Spokane-based Wendy's restaurants franchisee has acquired seven Wendy's restaurants in Nebraska. Wenspok Resources LLC, which does business as Wenspok Cos., will add 250 employees to its current staff of more than 1,000, according to a press

Growing number of leadership groups help women support one another

Several women's leadership and business networking groups have sprung up in the Spokane area as more women seek positions of influence within their businesses or as they establish new businesses. Those involved in suc

June 6, 2019

Virginia Thomas

Several women's leadership and business networking groups have sprung up in the Spokane area as more women seek positions of influence within their businesses or as they establish new businesses.

Little Photo Bus Company: Major demand for a microbus

June 6, 2019

Virginia Thomas

Deanna Haggerty and her daughter, Kyla, have always loved vintage Volkswagen Type 2 buses. 'Whenever we'd see one, we'd say, 'It would be so cool to own one of those.' But there was never really a reason to have one,â€ Kyla says.

Hecla faces potential class-action lawsuit, disputes validity of claims

Complaint stems from acquisition of Nevada mines

June 6, 2019

Virginia Thomas

A pair of shareholders has filed a lawsuit against Hecla Mining Co. accusing the 128-year-old Coeur d'Alene-based company of violating federal securities law.

Hardwick & Sons hardware store to move from Seattle to Post Falls

Hardwick's owner says rising taxes factored into decision to relocate here

May 23, 2019

Virginia Thomas

Hardwick & Sons Inc. hardware store, a fixture of Seattle's University District for nearly nine decades, is looking at moving to Post Falls, says CEO and third-generation owner Dean Hardwick, who cites rising taxes in Washington state

Baldwin Sign Co. plans to expand regional footprint

Manufacturer recognized for being eco-friendly

May 23, 2019

Virginia Thomas

Baldwin Sign Co. has seen a lot in the nearly 80 years since it was established here, and owner Jon Whipple says the company's flexibility, adoption of new technology, and commitment to quality have kept its doors open.